Live: Music Picks May 15-21 

THURSDAY MAY 15

Old 97’s
The Old 97’s celebrate their 20th anniversary as a group with the release of Most Messed Up, which came out April 29 and features appearances by Neko Case and Guns N’ Roses’ Tommy Stinson. The four-piece saw their beginnings in bars in Dallas, Texas, and hooked into an alternative-country style that can range from soft acoustic songs—like the popular “Question,” from the 2001 album Satellite Rides—to louder, whiskey-slamming tunes like “Let’s Get Drunk and Get It On” on Most Messed Up. Nikki Lane will get the night started. (Carly Fetzer)
The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 8 p.m., $20, TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

Mirror Travel
When Follow That Bird’s record label folded, making the band’s hopes for their first full-length album disappear like smoke, they could’ve easily given up. Instead, the Austin, Texas, psychedelic/garage-rock trio gave themselves a fresh start by changing the band name to Mirror Travel and striking out on a new path. As drummer Tiffanie Lanmon says on the band’s online bio, “We had to walk into the desert and do things our way.” And if their scuzzy full-length debut, Mexico—recorded in isolation in a Texas desert and released in 2013—is any indication, the decision served Mirror Travel well, as the songs are as expansive, trippy and dangerous as a day spent under the blazing sun with no water in sight. Black Sands and Supermoon will also perform. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 8 p.m., $6 in advance, $8 day of show, KilbyCourt.com

FRIDAY MAY 16

Morrissey
Apparently this show is actually happening this time—we’ll believe it when we see it, Morrissey. Kristeen Young will begin the night. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Kingsbury Hall, 1395 Presidents Circle, University of Utah, 7:30 p.m., $55-$70, Kingtix.com

Outside Infinity Fundraiser Concert
Being a musician seems to turn some people into self-centered jerks, but others recognize the platform it gives them to do some good in the world. One of those bands is Salt Lake City rock outfit Outside Infinity, who will be raising funds at this concert to help pay for uniforms for underprivileged kids in local soccer leagues. The worthy cause is only one of many the band has championed at benefit concerts since forming, because, as guitarist Derek Walker says via e-mail, “Outside Infinity is always ready to help those in need.” If you contact a member of the band via Facebook or Reverbnation.com/OutsideInfinity for a ticket in advance, you can show up with a group of up to eight people and get them and you in for only $4. Individuals pay $7 at the door. For every ticket sold, $2 goes to buying the soccer uniforms. Random Dance, Towards Chaos and Meat Wagon will also perform. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Liquid Joe’s, 1249 E. 3300 South, 8 p.m., $4-$7, LiquidJoes.net

Burnell Washburn Album Release
Salt Lake City emcee, producer and Hip Hop Roots SLC event organizer Burnell Washburn has been even harder at work than usual the past two years, creating his latest album, Gratitude, which will be released at this show. The album finds Washburn pushing the boundaries of his recording techniques, combining more traditional hip-hop sampling with live instruments, which he says was a “rewarding challenge.” Lyrically, Washburn says Gratitude “takes listeners deep inside my personal journey and lends the freshest, most complete perspective on who I am as a human being,” such as on the personal “Soldiers of Peace”—featuring guest vocals by Ruby Chase—on which he rhymes about the less glamorous aspects of being an artist. The night will also feature performances by Toki Wright, Dumb Luck, Pat Maine, Malev Da Shinobi, Gentry Fox, DJ Electronic Battleship, Vagif Musayev, Omeed the Nág, Lost Boy & Site Saturn, Andrew Vicente and more. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 8 p.m., $10 in advance, $15 day of show, KilbyCourt.com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com

SUNDAY MAY 18

Orgone
Get your disco shorts ready. This eight-piece funk band from Los Angeles will blow your mind and make you get your boogie on with their 1960s/’70s-flavored soul music. Over the past decade, Orgone has mastered their pure sound—reminiscent of old-school disco and funk days—so well that it seems almost unearthly. The band’s name, meaning “universal life force,” adequately describes the powerful musical energy they create, heard on their latest album, 2013’s New You. Even if you’re not a die-hard funk fan, Orgone will take you away. Lady Legs will start the night. (Deann Armes)
The State Room, 638 S. State, 8 p.m., $15, TheStateRoom.com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com

TUESDAY MAY 20

Potty Mouth
It’s kind of crazy to think about how many successful bands first got together on a whim. That’s the case with Potty Mouth, an all-female band that started at Smith College in Northhamptom, Mass. Made up of a mix of veteran musicians and newbies, the four founding members didn’t have high expectations for their new project. But after making waves at festivals like Ladyfest and SXSW and getting press from big names like Pitchfork, Stereogum and Spin, it’s safe to say this whim has longevity. Potty Mouth’s pop-punk sound is created with snappy percussion, upbeat guitars and monotone vocals delivering though-provoking lyrics, such as the ones found on “Black & Studs,” from the band’s debut full-length album, Hell Bent: “What happened to you to make you wear black and studs?/ What happened to me to wear them just because?” Perfect Pussy and Fossil Arms are also on the bill. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 8 p.m., $8, KilbyCourt.com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com

WEDNESDAY MAY 21

Mogwai
Since they formed in 1995, Scottish quintet Mogwai’s highly textured brand of challenging, engrossing post-rock has stood alone in its ability to convey a wide range of emotions and feelings, with hardly any lyrics required. Using larger-than-life guitar chords, driving percussion and a variety of keyboards and synthesizers, Mogwai can hook listeners with ease and take them on a journey through sadness, triumph, loss, redemption and more. That’s why a Mogwai show will be one of the most overwhelming and intense you’ll ever see, with meticulous lighting effects adding to the multisensory experience. Mogwai is touring in support of their eighth album, Rave Tapes—released in January—which is so intricate it deserves to be given your ears’ undivided attention in a darkened room. Majeure will start things off. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 9 p.m., $19, DepotSLC.com